German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has urged an end to bloodshed in Syria’s Kobani (Kobanê), a Kurdish-held town hailed as a symbol of resistance against the Islamic State (ISIS). In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Baerbock stressed the need for all parties to respect Syria’s sovereignty and protect hopes for peace.
“Kobani is a symbol of the courageous fight of the Kurds against ISIS. Further bloodshed is the last thing people should endure after 14 years of war,” she said.
#Kobanê ist Symbol für den mutigen Kampf der Kurd*innen gegen den IS. Weiteres Blutvergießen ist das Letzte, was die Menschen nach 14 Kriegsjahren erfahren sollten. Auch die #Türkei steht in Verantwortung, Syriens territoriale Integrität & die Hoffnung auf #Frieden zu erhalten.
— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) December 17, 2024
Baerbock called on Turkey to uphold its responsibility in maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity, reinforcing international appeals for stability in the war-torn region.
However, her remarks come amid criticism of Germany’s record-high arms exports to Turkey, which reached their peak since 2006 during her tenure. These sales—amounting to €336 million for missiles and torpedoes—have faced scrutiny from activists and politicians alarmed by Turkey’s military operations in northern Syria and their impact on Kurdish populations and civilian displacement.
Meanwhile, Kobani, internationally recognised for its pivotal role in the 2015 fight against ISIS, remains a symbol of resistance. Turkish-backed military operations in the region now threaten the fragile security in camps holding thousands of ISIS affiliates and undermine peace efforts in northern Syria.
